Halogen-pregnadienes

ABSTRACT

WHEREIN R1 IS CH3 OR A HALOGEN ATOM R2 IS H OR CH3 R3 IS A FREE OR ESTERIFIED HYDROXYL GROUP R4 IS A FREE, ESTERIFIED OR ETHERIFIED HYDROXY GROUP AND X AND Y REPRESENT A HALOGEN ATOM. USE: AS ANTIPHLOGISTICS.   PREGNA-1,4-DIENE   2-(CL-),3-(O=),6-R1,9-Y,11-X,16-R2,17-R3,20-(O=),21-R4-   THE INVENTION CONCERS COMPOUNDS OF THE GENERAL FORMULA

United States Patent 3,641,070 HALOGEN-PREGNADIENES Georg Anner and Ludwig Ehmann, Basel, Switzerland assignors to Ciba Corporation, Summit, NJ. No Drawing. Filed June 25, 1969, Ser. No. 836,601 Claims priority, application Switzerland, June 28, 1968,

Int. Cl. C07c 169/34 US. Cl. 260397.45 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention concerns compounds of the general formula wherein R is H, CH or a halogen atom R is H or CH R is a free or esterified hydroxyl group R is a free, esterified or etherified hydroxy group, and X and Y each represent a halogen atom.

Use: as antiphlogistics.

The present invention provides new steroids of the pregnane series, substituted in position 2 by chlorine, of the general formula in which R represents hydrogen, a methyl group or a halogen atom, R hydrogen or an aor B-positioned methyl group, R a free or esterified hydroxyl group, especially a hydroxyl group esterified with a lower alkanecarboxylic acid, R represents a free, esterified or etherified hydroxyl group, X and Y each represents a halogen atom, as well as a process for their manufacture.

The above-mentioned esterified hydroxyl groups are especially those which are derived from organic carboxylic acids of the aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic or heterocyclic series, especially those which contain 1 to 18 carbon atoms, for example from formic, acetic, propionic acid, the butyric or valeric acids such as n-valeric acid, or trifluoroor trimethylacetic acid, the caproic acids such as B-trimethylpropionic acid or diethylacetic acid, of oenanthic, caprylic, pelargonic or capric acid, of undecylic acids, for example undecylenic acid, from lauric, myristic, pahnitic or stearic acids, for example oleic acid, cyclopropane-, -butane-, -pentaneand -hexane-car-boxylic acid, cyclopropylmethanecarboxylic, cyclohexylethanecarboxylic acid, cyclopentylethanecarboxylic, cyclohexylethanecarboxylic acid, from cyclopentyl-, cyclohexylor pheny1 acetic or propionic acids, from benZOic acid, phenoxyalkane acids such as phenoxyacetic acid, dicarboxylic acids such as succinic acid, phthalic, quinolic acid, town- 3,641,070 Patented Feb. '8, 1972 ice 2-carboxylic, S-tertiary butyl-furan-2-carboxylic, 5-bromofuran-Z-carboxylic acid, nicotinic or isonicotinic acid, or from sulphonic acids such as benzenesulphonic acids or fron inorganic acids, for example phosphoric or sulphuric acl s.

The ester groups may also be derived from orthocarboxylic acids such as orthoformic acid, orthoacetic or orthopropionic acid, and these acidslike the abovementioned dicarboxylic acidsmay furnish cyclic 17,21- esters.

As etherified hydroxyl groups those may be specially mentioned which are derived from alcohols with 1 to 18 carbon atoms, such as lower aliphatic alkanols, ethanol, methanol, propanol, isopropanol, the butyl or amyl alcohols or cycloalkanols such as cyclopentanol or from araliphatic alcohols, especially from monocyclic aryllower aliphatic alcohols such as benzyl alcohol, or from heterocyclic alcohols such as a-tetrahydro-pyranol or -furanol.

The halogen atoms are bromine atoms or especially chlorine or fluorine atoms.

The new compounds of the above Formula I possess valuable pharmacological properties. Thus they have especially a local anti-inflammatory effect as can be shown in animal tests, for example on rats, with doses from 0.001 to 0.1 mg. administered locally in the foreign body granuloma test. The new compounds may therefore be used as local antiphlogistics. However, the new compounds are also valuable intermediates for the manufacture of otheruseful substances, especially of pharmacologically active compounds.

Especially valuable are those compounds of the above formula in which R represents a hydrogen or fluorine atom, R an a-methyl group, R hydrogen or the residue of a lower alkanecarboxylic acid, R, a free, esterified hydroxyl group or a hydroxyl group etherified with a lower alkanol, tetrahydrofuranol or tetrahydropyranol, and X represents a chlorine atom and Y is a chlorine or fluorine atom, and in the very first place 6oc-fl11OI'0-2,9oc,11 3tl'lchloro-l6a-methyl-17a-hydroxy-21-acetoxy 3,20 dioxopregna-l,4-diene and 2,9a,1lfl-trichloro-l6a-methyl-17ahydroxy-21-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregna-1,4-diene which, for example on local administration to the rat in a dose from 0.003 to 0.01 mg, produce a distinct anti-inflammatory effect.

The compounds of the above Formula I are obtained when a compound of the general formula in which R R R and R have the above meanings, is reacted in known manner with a compound that gives off positively charged halogen in the presence of halogen anions or when chlorine is added on to the 1,2-doub1e bond in a compound of the formula in which R R R R X and Y have the meanings given above, and hydrochloric acid is eliminated from the resulting 1,2-dichloro compound, and, if desired, in a resulting compound a free hydroxyl group present is esterified and/ or the 2l-hydroxy group is etherified and/or esterified or etherified hydroxyl groups are converted into free hydroxyl groups.

As the compound that gives off positively charged halogen there is especially used an N-halogenamide or N- halogenimide, such as N-bromoor N-chlorosuccinimide or -phthalimide, N-bromoor N-chloro-acetamide, N- chloroor N-bromotoluenesulphonylamide. The reaction is carried out in the presence of halogen anions, such as chlorine, bromine or fluorine anions, especially in the form of the corresponding alkali metal, especially potassium or lithium, halides or of the corresponding hydrohalic acids. For this purpose the positively charged halogen may be diiferent from the halogen anion. The reaction is preferably performed in an organic solvent such as a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid, for example acetic, diethylacetic, propionic or butyric acid, or in an ether such as tetrahydrofuran or dioxan, or in a halogenated hydrocarbon such as methylenechloride or chloroform, or in a mixture of such solvents.

The addition of chlorine to the 1,2-double bond according to method (b) is performed in a manner known per se. For example, the chlorination may be performed in an inert solvent, such as dioxan, in the presence of a carboxylic acid, such as for example propionic acid, at a low temperature in the dark. The elimination of hydrogen chloride from the 1,2-dichloro compounds is performed by treatment with a base, preferably a tertiary organic nitrogen base, for example triethylamine, pyridine or collidine.

According to this invention the free hydroxyl groups in 17- and 2l-positions may, if desired, be esterified, and both 17ozor 21-monoesters and l7a,2l-diesters may be manufactured. To manufacture 2l-monoesters the 21- hydroxy compounds are treated in known manner with reactive functional carboxylic acid derivatives, preferably with those of the acids mentioned above, for example with an acid anhydride or acid halide, for example in a tertiary base such as pyridine.

A free hydroxyl group in position 17a may be selectively esterified in known manner; for example, the 170:,2l-di65t615 are manufactured by acylation with a carboxylic acid anhydride, for example acetic anhydride, with addition of a strong acid, especially an aromatic sulphonic acid, for example p-toluenesulphonic acid, as

catalyst and the 2l-ester group is then hydrolyzed under mild conditions, for example with a solution of an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate in an aqueous aliphatic alcohol such as methanol or ethanol.

l7a-monoesters may also be manufactured by the following known route: When compounds of the Formula I, that contain free hydroxyl groups in positions 170: and 21, are reacted with an orthoester of the type RC(OR") [where R' is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical and R" an alkyl radical] in the presence of a strong acid, for example p-toluenesulphonic acid, as catalyst, in an inert solvent, for example benzene, cyclic 170:,21- orthoesters are obtained. By hydrolysis with a weak organic acid, for example oxalic acid, the 21-ester bond is then selectively hydrolyzed and a l7-a-monoester is obtained.

According to the present invention, if desired, a free hydroxyl group in position 21 is etherified in known manner, preferably with a reactive derivative of one of the alcohols mentioned above. For example, reaction with dihydropyran in a solvent that does not participate in the reaction, such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether or chloroform, in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride, furnishes the Zl-tetrahydropyranyl ethers.

The compounds of the above Formula II to be used as starting materials can be prepared, for example, by the process of our application. Ser. No.1 776,270, filed-Nov, 15,1968. 1' 1' The invention includes also any variant of the r present process inwhich an intermediatesobtained. at any stage of the process. is used as starting material'and the remaining steps are carried 'out. or the; process 'is discontinued at any stage thereoffor in which 'axst'arting material is formed under the reaction conditions;

The invention further includes the formulation 0f pharmaceutical preparations for use in human or veterinary medicine containing the new pharmacologically active substances of this invention, :as active ingredient in conjunction or admixture with a pharmaceut-ic'alexcipient. The excipient used is an organic or inorganic substance suitable for enteral, for example oral or parenteral or local administration. Suitable excipients-are substances that do not react with the .new compounds, =for example gelatin, water, lactose,, starches; ;magnesium stearate, talcum, vegetable oils,.benzyl alcohols, gums, polyalkyleneglycols, while petroleum; jelly, cholesterohor other known medicinal excipients.. The pharmaceutical preparations may be in solid form, for example tablets, drages or capsules, or in liquid orsemiliquid form solutions, suspensions, emulsions, ointments or creams. These pharmaceutical preparations may be sterilized and/or contain assistants such as preserving, stabilizing, wetting or emulsifying agents, salts for regulating the'osmotic pressure or buffers. They may also contain further therapeutically valuable substances. Thenew compounds may also be used as starting materials for the manufacture of other valuable substances.

The following examples illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 12.9 grams of A -6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l6oc methyl l7ix-hydroxy-2l-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnatriene and after this g. of finely powdered lithium-chloride are dissolved with stirring and moderate heating to- 30-40 C. in 440 ml, of glacial acetic acid; The resulting solution is then cooled under nitrogenwith ice waterto l'3-'C. and there are added in one lot 5.28 g. o f N-chlorosuccinimide and then 13.8 ml. of a solution of 70g. of hydrogen chloride in 700 ml. of tetrahydroiuran. The cooling bath is then removed and the batch is stirred for 2 to 3 hours under nitrogen at an internal temperature slowly rising to 25 C. during which the unreacted-.chlor0- succinimide gradually dissolves. The clear, faintly yellowish reaction solution, which then still;cont ains excess N- chlorosuccinimide, is poured out over 3 litres of ice water, extracted with 3 300 ml. of methylenech lojride and the extracts are successively washed with water, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and again with water, The washed, combined extracts are dried o'v er sodium sulphate, filtered and evaporated under vacuum, For purification the resulting crystalline crude product (17.0 g.) is dissolved in methylenechloride, filtered through 730 g. of silica gel and further eluted with methylehech lo ride. The middle fraction is mixed with ether and concentrated and furnishes 6.0 g. of A -6ot-fluoro-2,9a,llfl-trichloro l6a-methyl- 17a hydroxy-Zl acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene melting at (247 C.) 248-249" C. after decomposition. Optical rotation [a] "=+l03i1- I Y in dioxan). A (in rectified alcohol) 246 mu (e 15,700 On working up the mother liquor furnishes more of the identical product. l l EX E 2 I 2.60 grams of A -6afluoro-2,9a,llfl-trichlbrofloutmethyl-17a-hydroxy-2l-acetoxy 3,20 dioxopregnadiene are dissolved in 200 ml. of methanol with' heating to'the boil and passing nitrogen through. The resulting solution is then cooled under nitrogen to 1 to 3 C. and within30 to minutes a solution of 0.5 g. of sodium bicarbonate in 10 m1. of water is dropped in. The reaction solution is then further stirred overnight at 1-3 C. under nitrogen, during which the reaction product crystallizes gradually. The progress of the hydrolysis is checked by thinlayer chromatography on silica gel with 1:1 tolueneethyl-l-acetate as eluant. After a hydrolysis time of 10 to 15 hours no starting material can be identified in the reaction solution. At that moment the reaction mixture is poured into 1.5 litres of water, repeatedly extracted with methylene-chloride; the extracts are repeatedly washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The yield of crystalline product amounts to 2.4 g. melting at 232233 C. The product is thin-layer chromatographically pure (silica gel toluene-l-ethyl acetate 1:1). For further purification the faintly yellowish cnude product is crystallized from methanol, to yield at first 1.0 g. of A -6a-fluoro-2,9a,11 3-trichloro-16u-methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy 3,20 dioxopregnadiene melting at (231) 232233 C.

Concentration of the motherliquor furnishes more of the identical product.

EXAMPLE 3 1.3 ml. of trimethylacetylchloride are dissolved with stirring under nitrogen in 25 ml. of pure, anhydrous pyridine at C. In the course of 5 minutes, while stirring at 0 C. under nitrogen, a solution of 1.0 g. of A -6ozfluoro-2,9a,l1/3-trichloro 16a methyl 17a,21 dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene in 15 ml. of pure anhydrous pyridine is run in. The reaction solution is stirred under nitrogen for 8-12 hours at 0 C., after which no starting material can be identified in the reaction mixture by means of thin-layer chromatography (silica gel; toluene+ethyl acetate 1:1). The reaction solution is then poured out over ice Water and acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid. The reaction products are extracted with ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate extracts are washed successively with dilute hydrochloric acid, water dilute sodium carbonate solution and water, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and evaporated. The white, finely crystalline residue (1.3 g.) is recrystallized from ethyl acetate and yields pure A -6a-fluoro-2,9a,1lB-trichloro:16amethyl-lh-hydroxy 21 trimethylacetoxy 3,20 dioxopregnadiene melting at 215-217 C.

An analogous reaction of A -60t-flUOI0-2,9u,1lfi-tll- ChlOI0-16oc-IIl6thYl l7oc,21 dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene with undecylenic acid chloride furnishes A -6afiuoro-2,9x,11B-trichloro-16a-methyl 17a hydroxy 21- undecenylenoyloxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

EXAMPLE 4 A mixture of 4.8 g. of A -6u-fluoro-2,9a,11,8-trichloro- 'l6a-methyl-l7a,2l dihydroxy 3,20 dioxopregnadiene,

0.025 g. of p-toluenesulphonic acid, 6.0 ml. of dimethylformamide and 6.0 ml. of orthopropionic acid triethyl ester is heated for 4 hours at 115 C. while being stirred under nitrogen. The clear reaction solution is then cooled,

0.5 ml. of pyridine is added and the whole is completely evaporated under vacuum. The crystalline residue is trit urated with 25 ml. of methanol, suctioned oif and washed with a small quantity of cooled methanol and finally dried at -70" C. under vacuum, to yield pure A -6a-fluoro- 2,9a,11,8-trichloro 16cc methyl-l7a,21-(1'-ethoxy)-propylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene in fine needles.

By an analogous reaction of A -6o-fluoro-2,9a,11;3- trichloro-l6a-methyl-17a,21 dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene there are obtained with orthoace'tic acid triethyl ester A -6afiuoro-2,9a,1 lfl-trichloro- 1 a-methyl- 17a,2 1- 1'-ethoxy) -ethylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

A mixture of a methanolic solution of A -6u-fluoro- 2,9u,11fl-trichloro 16a methyl-17a,21-(1 methoxy3'- carbomethoxy) propylidenedioxy 3,20-dioxopregnadiene with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate is stirred under nitrogen until starting material can no longer be identified by thin-layer chromatography. The solution is poured into ice water, acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted with methylenechloride. The extract is evaporated and the oily residue taken up in methylenechloride, whereupon crystalline A -6ufluoro 2,9oc,1l,8-tIiChlOIO 161x methyl 17a,2l-(1-me thoxy-3-carboxy) propylidenedioxy 3,20-dioxopregnadiene is obtained. The new compound is soluble in an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution.

EXAMPLE 5 A suspension of A 6ot-flUOIO-2,9oc,1lfi-tl'ichlOIO-lGamethyl-17a,2l-(l' ethoxy) propylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene in methanol is treated at 45 C. with a 2 N-solution of oxalic acid in water until a clear solution has formed. The solution is then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and extracted with methylenechloride, The extracts are washed with water, dried and evaporated. Recrystallizaiton of the residue from ethyl acetate furnishes A -6wfluoro-2, 9a,11B-trichloro 16a methyl-2l-hydroxy-lh-propionyloxy-3,ZO-dioxopregnadiene.

By an analogous reaction of A -6a-fluoro-2,9u,11/3- tIlChlOIO-lfia methyl-1704,2141 methoxy-3'-carboxypropylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene, by splitting with dilute aqueous oxalic acid, A -6ot-fluoro-2,9u,11B trichloro-16a-methyl-2 1-hydroxy-17ix hemisuccinoyloxy-3, 20-dioxopregnadiene which is soluble in an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, and A -6a-fluoro-2,9a,11fitrichloro- 1 6u-methyl l7u,21-( 1-methoxy) -pentylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene yields 7 (1'-ethoxy) -ethylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxoprcgnadiene yields A -6u-fluoro-2,9a,1 lfl-trichloro-16a-methyl-21-hydroxy-l7u-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

EXAMPLE 6 A solution of A -6a-fluoro-2,9a,11B-trichloro-16amethyl-17u,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene in methyl iodide prepared with the addition of dimethylformamide is mixed with silver oxide, stirred at room temperature until starting material can no longer be detected by thin-layer chromatography. The silver salts are separated, the clear reaction solution completely evaporated and the residue purified by chromatography on silica gel. When the middle fraction is recrystallized from methanol, it furnishes A -6a-fluoro-2,9a,lIB-trichloro-16a-methyl-17ot-hydroxy 21-methoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

An analogous reaction of A -6a-fluoro-2,9a,1lfi-trichloro-16a-methyl-l7a,21 dihydroxy 3,20-dioxopregnadiene with ethyl iodide furnishes A -6Ot-fl110I'O-2,90t, llfi-trichloro-l6a-methyl-17a hydroXy-21-ethoxy-3,20- dioxopregnadiene, with allyl iodide A -6a-fluoro-2,9a, 1 1 3-trichloro-16u-methyl- 17a hydroxy-Z1-allyloxy-3,20- dioxopregnadiene, with benzyl iodide A -6a-fiu0ro-2,9a, 1 1fi-trichloro-16u-methyl-17a-hydroxy 2 l-benzyloxy-3, 20-dioxopregnadiene.

EXAMPLE 7 l 6a-methyl-17a-hydroXy-21- 1'-phenoxyethoxy -3, 20-dioxopregnadiene, with n-butylvinyl ether A -6afiuOl'0-2,9a,1 l fl-trichloro- 16a-methyll7u-hydroxy-2 1-( 1-n-butoxyethoxy)-3, ZO-dioxopregnadiene, with isobutylvinyl ether A -6ot-fll10I'O-2,9oz,l 1 fl-trichloro- 16a-methyl-l7a-hydroXy2l-( l-isobutoxyethoxy) 3,20-dioxopregnadiene, with n-cetylvinyl ether A -6a-fluoro-2,9a, 1 1 fl-trichloro- 16u-methyll7a-hydroXy-2 1-( 1'-cetyloxyethoxy) -3, 20-dioxopregnadiene, with n-octadecylvinyl ether A -6oc-fil1OlO-2,9ot,l 1 B-trichlorol 6a-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-2 1-( 1-octadecyloxyethoxy -3 ,2 O-dioxo-pregn adiene, with benzylvinyl ether A -6a-fll101O-2,9oc,1 1 fl-trichloro- 16a-methyl- 17 a-hydroxy-21- 1-benzyloxyethoxy)- 3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

EXAMPLE 8 1.l7"grams of A -6a-fluoro-2-chloro-loot-methyl- 17a-hyd roxy-21-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene are dissolved in 75 ml. of diethylacetic acid and, while stirring, 5, ml. of a solution of hydrogen fluoride in chloro fotm+tetrahydrofuran 3:2, containing 0.270 g. of hydrogen fluoride per ml. of solution, is run in, and immediately after this 0.395 g. of N-bromoacetamide is added. The batch is stirred for 15-20 hours at room temperature and then poured into /2 litre of 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The precipitate reaction products are dissolved in methylenechloride and the solution is washed neutral, dried and evaporated. The yield of crude product amounts to 1.3 g. of A -6a,1l fr-difluoro-2-chloro-9abromo-l6a-methyl-17a-hydroxy 21-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene which is purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate.

EXAMPLE 9 25.4 grams of A -6o 11B-difluoro-2-chloro-9a-bromo- 16oz methyl-17a-hydroxy-2l-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene are dissolved in 200 ml. of methanol with heating at the boil and while passing nitrogen through. The're'sulting solution is then cooled to 0 C. under nitrogen, and within 30-60 minutes a solution of 0.50 g. of sodium bicarbonate in 10 ml. of water is dropped in. The reaction solution is then stirred on overnight at 0 C. under nitrogen. The progress of the hydrolysis is checked by means of thinlayer chromatography. After a hydrolysis period of 10-15 hours starting material can no longer be identified in the reaction solution and at that moment the reaction mixture is poured into 1520 ml. of water, repeatedly extracted with methylenechloride, and the extracts are washed repeatedly with water, dried over sodium sulphate and completely evaporated. Yield of crude product: 2.5 g. of A -6a, 11,9 difiuoro-2-chloro-9a-bromo-16a-methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene which furnishes pure A 611,115 difluoro 2-chloro-9u-bromo-16u-methyl-17a,21- dihydroxy 3,20 dioxopregnadiene on recrystallization from methanol.

To manufacture A -60t,l1fl-difillOI'O-Z-ChlOI'O-9ot-bIQ- mo a methyl-17a-hydr0xy-21trimethylacetoxy-3,20- dioxopregnadiene 1.3 ml. of trimethylacetylchloride';are dissolved at 0 C. in 25 ml. of pyridine, then a solution of 0.9 of A -6a,1 1B-difiuoro-2-chloro-9a-bromo-16a-methyl- 17a,2l-di hydroxy 3,20 dioxopregnadiene in 15 ml of pyridine is run in at 0 C. and the whole is stirred for 10-15 hours at 0 C. For Working up the reaction solution is poured into ice water, the precipitated reaction products are extracted with ethyl acetate, the extracts 'are washed successively with dilute hydrochloric acid, water, dilute sodium carbonate solution and water, dried and' completely evaporated. The white, finely crystalline residue is recrystallized from ethyl acetate and furnishes pure A 60,11B difluoro 2-chloro-9a-bromo-16a-methyl-17a-hydroxy-Zl-trimethylacetoxy-S,20 dioxopregn'adiene.

An analogous reaction of A -6a,11B-difluoro-2-chloro- 9a bromo-l6a-methyl-17a,21-dihydroXy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene with n-valeroylchloride .furnishes A mixture of 1.0 g. of A -6u,llflrdifluoro-2-chloro-9abromo 16oz methyl-l7a,2l-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene and 1.0 g. of succinic anhydride in-25ml. of pyridine is heated for several hours on a boiling water bathHPhe reaction solution is cooled, extensively concentrated under vacuum and the residue is dissolved in ethyl .acetate and Washed with dilute hydrochloric acid and water and concentrated until crystallization sets in, to furnish A -6u, 11o difluoro 2 chloro 9u-bromo-16a-mehtyl-17a-hydroxy-21 hemisuccinoyloxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

An analogous reaction of A -6a,1lfi-diflllOI'O-Z-ChlOIO- 90c bromo-16ot-methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene with glycollic anhydride furnishes A -6u,l1fi-difluoro-2-chloro-9a-bromo-16a-methyl-17ahydroxy-2l-hemidiglycoloyloxy-3,20- dioxopregnadiene,

with phthalic anhydride A -6u,11,8-difluoro-2-chloro-9ubromo-1Got-methyl-17u-hydroxy 2l-hemiphthaloyloxy- 3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

with quinolic anhydride A -6oz-l1B-diflllOI0-2-Ch10I'O-9otbromo-16a-methyl-17a-hydroxy-2l-hemiquinoyloxy- 3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

with propionic anhydride A -6a,1I/R-difiuoro-Z-chloro- 9a-bromo-16u-methyl-17-hydroxy-2l-propionyloxy- 3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

A mixture of 5.0 g. of A -6u,11fl-difluoro-2-chloro-9ubromo 16u-methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene, 0.02 g. of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate, 6.0 ml. of dimethylformamide and 6.0 m1. of orthopropionic acid triethyl ester is heated for 4 hours at 110 C. while being stirred under nitrogen. The clear reaction solution is cooled, 0.5 ml. of pyridine is added and the whole is completely evaporated under vacuum. The crystalline residue is triturated with 25 ml. of methanol, suctioned off, rinsed With a small quantity of cooled methanol and finally dried at 6070 C. under vacuum, to yield pure A 6a,l1fi-difluoro-2-chloro-9a-bromo-1Got-methyl-17a, 21 (l-ethoxy)-propylidenedioxy-3,ZO-dioxopregnadiene in fine needles.

In an analogous manner A -6u,1lfi-difluoro-Z-chloro- 90c bromo-16u-methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-3,ZO-dioxopregnadiene yields with orthoacetic acid triethyl ester A -6a,11 B-difluoro-Z- 2-chloro-9a-bromo-16u-methyl-17u,21-(1'-ethoxy)- ethylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

with orthobenzoic acid triethyl ester A -6oc,11 3-difll1010 2-chloro-9a-bromol 60L-I'I1ethYl17ot,21-( 1-ethoxy) benzylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregrradiene,

with ortho-n-valeric acid trimethyl ester A -6a,1 113- difluoro-2-chloro-9a-bromo-16u-methyl-17a,2l-

( 1'-methoxy) -pentylidenedioxy-3 ,20-

dioxopregnadiene, with cyclopentanone diethyl acetal A -6a,11/8-difiuoro-2- chloro-9a-bromo-l6u-methyl-17a,2l-cyclopentylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

with benzaldehyde diethyl acetal A -6a,-1lB-difluoro-2- chloro-9a-bromo-l6a-methyl-l7u,21-benzylidenedioxy-3,2O-dioxopregnadiene and with fl-carbomethoxy-orthopropionic acid trimethyl ester 17 11,2 l- 1'-methoxy-3-carbomethoxy) -propy1idenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

A mixture of A -6a,11,3-difiuoro-2-chloro-9a-bromo- 16oz methyl-17u,21-(1'-methoxy-3'-carbomethoxy)-propylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxo-pregnadiene in methanol with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate is stirred under nitrogen until the thin-layer chromatographic examination of a specimen of the reaction mixture no longer reveals the presence of starting material. The reaction solution is poured into ice water, acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted with methylenechloride. The extract is repeatedly washed with water and evaporated and the residue taken up in methanol-l-ethyl acetate, to furnish pure A -6oc,11fl-diflI1OIO-2-Chl0I0-9otbromo-16a-methyl-17ot,21-(1-methoxy-3-carboxy) propylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene in crystalline form. The new compound is soluble in an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate.

A suspension of A -6o l1B-difluoro-Z-chloro-9a-bromo 16cc methyl-17u,21-(1-ethoxy)-propy1idenedioxy- 3,20-dioxopregnadiene in methanol is treated at 45 C. with a 2 N-aqueous solution of oxalic acid until a clear solution has formed which is poured into an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and extracted with methylenechloride. The extracts are washed with water, dried and evaporated. Crystallization of the residue from ethyl acetate furnishes pure A -6u,11/3-difiuoro-2-chloro-9abromo 16oz methyl-21-hydroxy-17a-propionyloxy-3,20- dioxopregnadiene.

An analogous reaction of A -60t,llfi-difluOI'O-Z-ChlOI'O- 9oz bromo-16u-methy1-17u,21-(1'-methoxy) -pentylidenedioxy-3,20=dioxopregnadiene by partial splitting with dilute aqueous oxalic acid furnishes A -6u,l1}8-difluoro-2- chloro c bromomethyl-Zl-hydroxy-17ot-n-valeroyloxy- 3,20-dioxopregnadiene; from A -6a,1lfl-difluoroQ-chloro 9oz bromo 16u-methyl-17a,21-(1'-ethoxy)-benzylidenedioxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene there is obtained A 6a,115 difluoro 2- chloro-9a-bromo-16a-methyl-21-hydroxy-17a-benzoyloxy-3,ZO-dioxopregnadiene, from A 6a,11/3 difluoro 2-chloro-9a-bromo-l6u-methyl-17m,2l- (1'-methoxy-3'-carboxy-propylidenedioxy 3,20 dioxopregnadiene A -6a,l1[3-difluoro-2-chloro-9a-bromo-16amethyl 21 hydroxy-17a-hemisuccinoyloxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

EXAMPLE 10 1.17 grams of A -6a-fluoro-2-chloro-1Get-methyl- 17u-hydroxy-21-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene and 4.0 g. of lithium chloride are dissolved in 75 ml. of diethylacetic acid. The whole is cooled to 0-5 C. and 0.29 g. of dichlorodimethylhydantoin and immediately following 5 ml. of a solution of hydrogen fluoride in chloroform+ tetrahydrofuran 3:2, containing 0.270 g. of hydrogen fluoride per ml., are stirred in. The batch is stirred on for 24 hours at room temperature and the reaction solution is then poured into 500 ml. of 10% aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The precipitated reaction products are taken up in methylenechloride. The extracts are washed neutral, dried and evaporated. The crude product is recrystallized from ethyl acetate and furnishes pure A 60;,115 dlfillOI'O-Z,90t-dlChlOI'O-160L-m6thyl-1706-hydroxy-2l-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

A -6a,1IB-difluoro-Zflu-dichloro 16a methyl 17ahydroxy-21-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene is hydrolyzed as described in Example 2 with sodium bicarbonate in methanol. Recrystallization from methanol furnishes pure A -6a,11fi-difluoro-2,9ot-dichloro-16u-methyl 17a,21 dihydroxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene.

The reaction described in Example 3 of A -6a,l1B-difluoro-2,9ot-dichloro-16m-methyl-17u,21-dihydroxy 3,20- dioxopregnadiene with trimethylacetylchloride in pyridine furnishes with benzoylchloride A -6u,1lfl-difluoro-2,9u-dichloro- 16x-methyl-17a-hydroxy-21-benzoyloxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

with capric acid chloride A -6a,11B-difluoro-2,9a-

dichloro-16a-methyl-17a-hydroxy-21-caprinoyloxy- 3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

with undecylenic acid chloride A -6'ot,1lfi-difluoro- 2,9u-dichloro-l6a-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-21-undecy1- enoyloxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

with-,3-phenylpropionylchloride A -6u,1l,B-difluoro- 2,9a-dichloro-l6a-methyl-17a-hydroxy-2l-B-phenylpropionyloxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

with methanesulphonylchloride A -6a,1l 3-difluoro- 2,9a-dichloro-16a-methyl-17a-hydroxy-21-mesyloxy- 3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

with diglycollic anhydride A -6a,1lfl-difluoro-Zfiw dichloro-16a-methyl-17m-hydroxy-21 hemidiglycoloyloxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

with succinic anhydride A -6u,1lB-difluoro-2,9a-

dichloro-lGot-methyl-l7u-hydroxy-2l-hemisuccinoyloxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene,

13 EXAMPLE 12 A pharmaceutical preparation in form of ointments for local administration, containing as active ingredient A 6a-fluoro-2,9a,llfi-trichloro 16cc methyl-lh-hydroxy- 21-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene:

Composition Percent White petroleum jelly 65,0 Paraffin oil Higher aliphatic alcohols u} 10,0 Waxes Polyhydroxyethylene-sorbitan derivatives 4.60 Sorbiton-fatty acid esters Preservative Perfume 0.1 Water 20.0

A -6ot-fluoro 2,9oz,11[3 trichloro-l6a-methyl- 17a hydroxy 21 acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnadiene 0.1

Formulation The fats and the emulsifiers are melted together, the preservative is dissolved in water and this aqueous solution is emulsified with the melt at an elevated temperature. During the cooling of the resulting emulsion a suspension of the active ingredient in a part of the melt is admixed with the emulsion and the perfume is then added.

EXAMPLE 13 5.0 g. of A -6u fluoro-9a,11B-dichloro-16u-methyl- 170a hydroxy-21-acetoxy-3,20-dioxo-pregnadiene are dissolved in 250 ml. of dioxan. After cooling, and until crystallization of the dioxan sets in, there are gradually added in the course of 8 days at 0-5 C. in the dark 215 ml. of a solution of 72 g. of chlorine in 1000 ml. of propionic acid in portions of -30 ml. The reaction solution is then poured into 3 liters of icewater. The batch is extracted several times with methylene chloride and the extracts are washed successively with water, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, and water. The extracts are combined and dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and completely evaporated under reduced pressure at a bath temperature of 30- 35 C. The resulting crude A -6a-fiuoro-1,2,9a,1lB-tetrachloro 160a methyl-17u-hydroxy-21-acetoxy-3,20-dioxopregnene (9.5 g.) is dissolved in 300 m1. of pyridine and the solution allowed to stand at room temperature for 20 hours, during which its color gradually changes from yellowish brown to dark brown. The reaction solution is then poured into 6 liters of ice-cooled N-hydrochloric acid. The batch is extracted four times with 1 liter of methylene chloride each time, and the extracts are washed successively with ice-cooled N-hydrochloric acid, water, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, and water. The extracts are then combined and dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and completely evaporated under reduced pressure. For purification, the resulting crude product (6.27 g.) is dissolved in methylene chloride, filtered through a column of silica gel, and eluted further with methylene chloride. The middle fraction which according to thin-layer chromatography is unitary is recrystallized from methylene chloride+ether to obtain A -6a-fluoro 2,9a,115-trichloro-16u-methyl- 17oz hydroxy-21-acetoxy-3,ZO-dioxo-pregnadiene melting at (247) 248249 C. (with decomposition).

On working up, further quantities of the same product are obtained from the mother liquor.

What is claimed is:

1. A compound of the formula I'll in which R represents hydrogen, a methyl group or a halogen atom, R stands for hydrogen or an aor 5- positioned methyl group, R for a free or esterified hydroxyl group, and R for a free, esterified or etherified hydroxyl group, and X and Y each stands for a halogen atom, each of said esterified hydroxyl groups being derived from carboxylic acids having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and each of said etherified hydroxyl groups being derived from lower aliphatic alcohols having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or tetrahydro-pyranol.

2. A compound of the formula shown in claim 1, the esterified hydroxy groups of which are derived from carboxylic acids having 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

3. A compound of the formula shown in claim 1, the esterified hydroxy groups of which are derived from lower aliphatic carboxylic acids.

4. A compound of the formula shown in claim 1, the esterified hydroxy groups of which are derived from lower aliphatic ortho-carboxylic acids.

5. A compound of the formula shown in claim 1, the etherified hydroxy groups of which are derived from lower aliphatic alcohols having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

6. A compound of the formula shown in claim 1, wherein the etherified hydroxyl groups are derived from tetrahydropyranol.

7. A 21-monoester according to claim 1.

8. A 17-monoester according to claim 1.

9. A 17,21-diester according to claim 1.

10. A member selected from the group consisting of A -6QL-fll1O1'0 2,9a,11,3 trichloro-16a-methyl-17u,21- dihydroxy-3,20-dioxo-pregnadiene and a monoor diester thereof derived from carboxylic acids having 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

11. The 21-acetate of the compound claimed in claim 10.

12. The 21-trimethylacetate of the compound claimed in claim 10.

13. A member selected from the group consisting of A -6a,11,B-difluoro 2 chloro-9a-bromo-16u-methyl- 17a-hydroxy 21 acetoxy-3,20-dioxo-pregnadiene and a monoor di-ester thereof derived from carboxylic acids having 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

14. The 2l-acetate of the compound claimed in claim 13.

15. The 31-trimethylacetate of the compound claimed in claim 13.

16. A compound of claim 10, which is A -6ot-fluoro- 2,9a,11B-trichloro 16oz methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-3,20- dioxo-pregnadiene.

17. A compound of claim 13, which is A -6a,11;3- difluoro 2 chloro-9a-bromo-16a-methyl-17a-hydroxy- 2l-acetoxy-3,20-dioxo-pregnadiene.

No references cited.

HENRY A. FRENCH, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

